Agonopterix sideensis from Turkey and Exaeretia lvovskyi from Russia, two new species of Depressariidae (Lepidoptera) from the Palaearctic region, and the transfer of Exaeretia montuosella (Hannemann, 1976) into the genus Agonopterix Hübner, [1825].  Misc. Pap. 184: 1-25.

Agonopterix sideensis sp. n. and Exaeretia lvovskyi sp. n. are described and Exaeretia montuosella (Hannemann, 1976) is transferred to the genus Agonopterix Hübner, [1825]. Agonopterix sideensis had been reared from larvae, collected in Side, Antalya Province, South Turkey, from an undetermined plant, and so far it is only known from the type locality. Externally it is most similar to Agonopterix leucadensis (Rebel, 1932), but the male genitalia show a quite unusual feature for this genus, a protruding tooth in the middle of the lower edge of the valva. This may suggest that the cuiller is bifurcate, as is typical of Exaeretia, but here this structure is a process of the lower edge of valva and not part of the cuiller. Further features, especially the shape of the labial palpus, female genitalia and the DNA-barcode leave no doubt that A. sideensis is well nested in the genus Agonopterix. Comparsion of A. sideensis with further Agonopterix- and Exaeretia-species brought to light one example in which this unusual structure is also present: “Exaeretia” montuosella. Studies of details of the valva, labial palpus and DNA-barcode revealed that it is not an Exaeretia. Taxonomic consequences: Exaeretia montuosella, described as Depressariodes montuosellus Hannemann, 1976, is transferred to Agonopterix montuosella (Hannemann, 1976), comb. nov.  

Exaeretia lvovskyi is close to the species E. lepidella (Christoph, 1872), E. nebulosella (Caradja, 1920), E. buvati Nel & Grange, 2014, E. mongolicella (Christoph, 1882), E. amurella Lvovsky, 1990 and E. praeustella (Rebel, 1917), but somewhat isolated within this group. It is found in Russia (South Ural, Altai Mountains, Buryatia). The moth and the genitalia of the new species and six of its related species are illustrated.

plus-circle Add Review

comment

Reviews